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We were looking for a little house in the city. We looked for nearly six months and found this fixer upper in Highland Park. It's tiny- just two bed rooms but the lot is deep. We have room for a garden. The street dead ends so it's quiet.

This neighborhood has a good vibe. There is a decent market, a few hip restaurants, cafes, galleries and shops, and a community garden. Sakai likes the idea of being able to walk to a cool bar. After living in Santa Monica for nearly 20 years, I like the idea of living on the eastside. I am ready for new adventures. I am going to be a regular train rider that's one thing I always wanted to do.

Our house was previously owned by one family for three generations; they loved the house but hardly did anything to it. I think the paint is original. We ripped off the old carpets and found hardwood floors. Lots of stuff came out of the basement, including a pretty gold ring. I kept it for good luck.

The dining room came with a funky chandelier and ugly arches.

The foundation is off so that's the first thing we need to fix. House restoration takes time, money and patience. Thank goodnes Sakai knows what he is doing.

I plan to make this the soba studio.. I am going to put a lot of work into this space to bring in some light.

I don't have a good picture of the kitchen but it also needs a major facelift.

The backyard is ok. There are three additonal units in the back, including a tree house. All unpermitted. We will have to tear them down.

The stairs take you up to the second level patio.

The ugly wheel and the stone fountain have to go. There is a green patch right above the stairs that gets good sun. We plant to make this my citrus garden. I want to have a chicken coop someday.

The patio has potential. Good place to dance and bbq.

Here is the tree house.

I think we made a good decision. It will be awhile before we can move in but I will post something, whenever we make progress.